Frequently Asked Questions

Our model is a bit unusual, so people often have questions. "Is this too good to be true?" is one we hear a lot! (Spoiler: it's not—it's just a different way of doing things.) Here are answers to the questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, just email us at hello@turadh.org.uk.

  • Our Standard and Subsidised rates are only available to people living or working in Scotland. However we offer a limited number of stays at our Supporting rate to anyone outside of Scotland. Check the Stay page of the website for more details.

  • Anyone in the UK cam come and stay at our supporting rate which is set in line with comparative holiday lets.

    Our standard and supported stays are exclusively for people working for the common good in Scotland. In 2025, we welcomed guests working in the following sectors:

    • Food banks and advice centres

    • Women's refuges and domestic abuse services

    • Refugee and asylum support organisations

    • Mental health charities

    • Environmental community groups

    • Youth services and children's charities

    • Addiction recovery services

    • Hospices and palliative care organisations

    • Community development organisations

    • Housing support services

    • Environmental community groups

    • Paid and unpaid carers

    • Social enterprises

  • No. While many of our guests come through partner organisations, we also welcome self-referrals. Just fill in our application form found here.

  • Yes. We work with organisations across Scotland to provide stays for their staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Have a read of all the ways we can support your team here.

  • Yes, as long as the main applicant (who qualifies) is present throughout. House capacity must never be exceeded. We ask that additional guests who aren't working for Scotland's common good make a £100 contribution to our bursary fund.

  • Almost everyone asks! To give as many people as possible the opportunity to stay, our policy is always to prioritise first time guests. We do sometimes welcome returning guests when there is availability but never within 12 months. Returning guests asked to make a contribution at our Standard or Supporting rates. Supported rate stays are only available once.

About Eligibility & Applying

  • We ask for a contribution dependent on your financial circumstances, and on the number of guests staying. Full details can be found here.

  • We ask for a £100 deposit, which is returned provided you leave the property in good condition with all rubbish removed and house rules followed. We do not keep bank details so guests must email and ask for their deposit to be repaid no more than 14 days after their stay ends. If you don't show up for your stay, if you cancel within 12 weeks of your arrival date, or if you do not ask for your deposit back, the funds will go into our bursary fund.

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  • contributions are 100% non-refundable—they go into our bursary fund to help others access stays.

    If you need to change your dates, we'll do our best to help (subject to availability), but we may charge a £50 administration fee. Changes aren't usually possible within 12 weeks of your arrival.

  • Most of our stays are for 7 nights. We ask guests to ensure they can stay for at least 5 of the 7 nights.

    At Feada Coiile, we can sometimes arrange short stays (3 or 4 nights).

    Short stays are also sometimes available last-minute through AirBnB with all income going to support our bursary fund.

  • Turadh is a not-for-profit social enterprise. Funds from all our stays go towards covering housekeeping costs and providing bursaries for those who need them.

About Costs and Cancellations

  • For Feada Coille, yes—a car is essential.

    For Taigh Whin and Nead Bernera, some guests manage with public transport or bicycle, though it's not straightforward. See below for details.

    How do I get there without a car?

    By Public Transport:

    • Train to Kyle of Lochalsh, then bus to Shiel Bridge, then pre-bookable community taxi to Glenelg

    • Or direct bus from Inverness to Shiel Bridge, then taxi bus to Glenelg

    Useful links:

    By Bicycle: Possible but challenging—there are substantial hills on both routes. Check terrain and weather carefully. You can pre-book bikes on Citylink buses and possibly on the community taxi (contact them in advance).

    Note: The shop and pub in Glenelg are about 1km from Taigh Whin and Nead Bernera.

  • Turadh properties are in the Highlands where weather can be dramatic. Main roads are well-maintained year-round, but conditions can worsen rapidly due to snow, ice, and high winds.

    Your responsibilities:

    • Plan and prepare your journey carefully

    • Check Met Office weather warnings and Bear Scotland traffic updates

    • Ensure your car is winter-ready

    • Follow 'Skye and Inverness Road Watch' on Facebook for updates

    Our commitment: We'll do everything possible to prepare properties for 4pm arrival. In extremely rare cases, our staff may not be able to safely access properties. If this happens, we'll postpone your stay and arrange an alternative date.

    Specific road warnings:

    • Glenelg (Taigh Whin/Nead Bernera): The Mam Ratagan Pass is gritted but often not until mid-morning. Take extreme care, especially at night and early morning. The road beyond Taigh Whin to Ferry Shore isn't cleared in extreme weather—avoid it in snow/ice. Track gritters here

    Shieldaig (Feada Coille): The final road (Allt an Dubh) is steep and can be icy. Take extreme care in cold/wintry conditions.

About Getting There

  • Taigh Whin and Nead Bernera have high-speed internet. Feada Coille has a slower connection—fine for browsing, not so good for streaming. Please note: all our properties are very rural, so internet can be unpredictable.

  • Our properties are primarily set up for adults but children are very welcome and often stay. Taigh Whin and Feada Coille have games, puzzles, and children's books. We can provide a cot and high chair at Taigh Whin on request.

    Nead Bernera is better suited to one person or a couple.

  • Unfortunately we can't accommodate pets (except registered service dogs). We know this is disappointing, but it helps us keep the properties accessible to guests with allergies and sensitivities.

  • Taigh Whin and Nead Bernera are single-level and welcoming for guests with limited mobility or energy. Feada Coille is also single-level but accessed by three steep external steps.

    We have some mobility equipment available and will make reasonable adjustments to support your stay. We can't promise to provide everything, but we'll do our very best. Email hello@turadh.org.uk with specific access questions.

  • Yes! Heating is free in all buildings, and they are all well insulated and very cosy. Taigh Whin and Feada Coille also have wood-burning stoves. We provide starter wood for your first night, plus firelighters and matches. Extra wood can be purchased locally.

  • Yes, all properties have a washing machine, electric drying rack, and laundry detergent.

  • Taigh Whin and Nead Bernera have an EV charger (£20 contribution per charge). Feada Coille does not.

About The Properties